Just yesterday, Universal Orlando announced that they would build a new mini-golf course just near the entrance of Universal's CityWalk. It will be done by the beginning of 2012. Here you are some more info:
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UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT ANNOUNCES ALL-NEW HOLLYWOOD DRIVE-IN MINIATURE GOLF EXPERIENCE COMING TO CITYWALK
Guests Can “Hit the Links” by Early 2012 With Two 18-Hole Courses Based on the Classic Drive-In Movie Era
Orlando, Fla. (May 11, 2011) – Universal Orlando Resort today announced plans to premier an all-new, 36-hole miniature golf experience – Hollywood Drive-In Golf – at CityWalk by early 2012. The experience is being designed by Universal’s creative team to do for miniature golf what a blockbuster theme park attraction does for a movie: bring it alive in an entirely new way. The two state-of-the art 18-hole courses will be unlike any other mini golf experience...
The new experience is being developed to complement Universal CityWalk’s role as an entertainment hub with something for everyone.
“We created Hollywood Drive-In to be fun and different and something everyone can enjoy,” said Ric Florell, senior vice president and general manager of resort revenue operations. “We used creative theming and state-of-the-art technology to take the experience to the next level. It’s perfect for Universal CityWalk – whether you are playing at 11am or 11pm.”
Situated just below the first level of CityWalk and next to the AMC Cineplex, guests will see the miniature golf courses as they are entering CityWalk from the parking garages. Construction on Hollywood Drive-In Golf is scheduled to begin this summer and the venue will open by early 2012.
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Now, two things come to our mind:
- First of all, why didn't they wait to announce this new mini-golf on May 19, when they will make some more exciting announcement? What do they have in store for us? Will they announce something more than just the replacement of Jimmy Neutron and the rehab of one of their rides? Will they finally announce the eagerly-awaited "WonderSea Island waterpark, that everybody wants to see realized?
- Another issue that comes to mind is: What will happen to the Valet parking?
Indeed, let's take a look at the location of the new mini-golf:
As you can see, they will have to remove the valet parking, to make way to this new mini-golf. Have they really decided to get rid of it? We don't think so. A lot of people use the valet parking, including people that just want to get a drink or eat a bite at one of the restaurants, and choose to stay only two hours; in addition to those, many who have the "Premier Pass", like us, have the opportunity to have free valet parking, a really valuable perk that should not be taken away from passholders (unless they give us more free water and free Universal Express all day...). Anyway, where are they going to put it?
If you were to have a Premier Pass, and knew you had that perk, would you not be upset?
